Walk the King Charles III England Coast Path through South East England
The King Charles III England Coast Path follows the coastline of South East England through Sussex and Kent before continuing beside the Thames towards Woolwich in London. The route connects seaside towns, chalk cliffs, beaches, estuaries, saltmarshes and historic harbours along one of the regional sections of England's coast path.
From Shoreham-by-Sea, the route follows the Sussex coast through Brighton and towards Eastbourne. Beyond Brighton, the trail passes beneath and above the chalk cliffs of the South Downs before continuing through Newhaven, the Cuckmere Valley and the Seven Sisters towards Eastbourne. This part of the route crosses the South Downs National Park and some of the most distinctive chalk landscapes on the south coast.
East of Eastbourne, the coast changes as the trail continues towards Hastings, Rye and the low-lying landscapes around Romney Marsh. Beaches, coastal settlements, nature reserves and extensive areas of shingle characterise parts of this section, including the landscape around Dungeness, before the route reaches Folkestone.
From Folkestone, the trail continues along the Kent coast through Dover, Deal and Sandwich towards Ramsgate. The route passes through the Kent Downs National Landscape and follows the chalk coastline around the White Cliffs of Dover, before continuing through coastal towns and historic landscapes towards the Isle of Thanet.
Beyond Ramsgate, the coast path follows the northern Kent coast through Margate, Herne Bay and Whitstable. The landscape then changes again around the Swale and Medway, where estuaries, mudflats, saltmarshes, grazing marsh and nature reserves become increasingly important features of the route.
The final part of the South East section follows the estuarine landscapes of the Medway and Thames towards Gravesend and Woolwich. The character becomes progressively more urban as the trail passes working riverside landscapes, historic defences and former industrial areas before reaching Woolwich, where the King Charles III England Coast Path connects with the Thames Path.
Shoreham-by-Sea, Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Rye, Folkestone, Dover, Ramsgate, Margate, Whitstable, Rochester and Gravesend provide useful bases along the route, with accommodation available in coastal towns and settlements across much of the South East section.
Route status
The King Charles III England Coast Path is still being established in parts of South East England. Most of the principal stretches are open, but sections between Eastbourne and Camber, around the Isle of Sheppey and between Iwade and Grain are at different stages of establishment. Walkers should check the latest official route information before setting out.
Overview
Mapped distance: 277 miles / 446 km
Typical duration: 20–25 walking days
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
Finish: Woolwich, London
Terrain: Coastal paths, chalk cliffs, promenades, beaches, shingle, estuary paths, saltmarsh, farmland and urban riverside paths
Route status: Some sections are not yet fully open
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